“Isn’t that your father?” Gage asked Mace, gesturing to where two police cars were parked, red-and-blue lights bright in the dark.
He nodded. “We should probably get out of here.”
I took a step toward them and fell to my knees. I was exhausted. Depleted. Done.
“Lark!” Roxi cried, rushing toward me. I fell forward, my hands hitting the ground. This place still wept, but not like it had. I could feel peace where there had been only pain. I smiled as my vision doubled.
Hands clutched at me as I was split in half. I cried out at the loss.
And then I came apart.
LARK
I woke up in the hospital, Nan and Wren hovering over me.
“Is it over?” I asked. “It wasn’t a dream, was it?” It felt like a dream, but all those ghosts...and Joe and Laura. I wanted that to be real.
“We were awesome!” Wren exclaimed.
Nan shot her a glance—obviously she could still see her. It would be nice if that continued. Wren would like that.
So, not a dream, then.
“Aside from being awesome, you apparently exhausted yourself mentally and physically. I thought the doctors were going to call Child Services on me—some of your levels were so low. One of them asked if you were anorexic.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
She patted my hand. “I’m just glad you’re all right. They did call your mother, though.”
I made a face. “Was she overwhelmed by motherly love and concern?”
“Yes, of course.”
Wren shook her head. Her hair wasn’t as bright as it normally was, and neither were her eyes. Halloween must have taken its toll on her, too. “No. She wasn’t. She told the doctors it was a cry for attention.”
Nan frowned at her. “Wrenleigh, listening in on my telephone conversations is not allowed. Understood?”
Wren nodded. “Yes, Nan. But that’s what she said.”
I tried not to let on that it hurt. “That sounds like her. How long do I have to stay here?”
“The doctors gave you an IV loaded up with all kinds of nutrients and minerals and different solutions.” Obviously medicine was not Nan’s forte. “I confess I stopped listening after the doctor said you were going to live. They said if things continue to improve you can go home tomorrow. They’re going to send home supplements for you, as well.”
“Is this because of the merge?” I looked at Wren when I spoke.
“Yep,” she replied. “It knocked me out, too. I was in the Shadow Lands until just a few hours ago. You’ve been out for almost twenty-four hours. Technically, they’re saying you have a case of acute exhaustion. I told Nan there was nothing ‘cute’ about it.” She giggled.
Nan arched a brow. “It’s still not funny, dear.”
I smiled. “Is everyone okay?”
“Kevin got hurt, but he’s fine. They’ve all been by. Ben more than once.”
Nan pulled her cell phone out of her purse. “That reminds me. I told the poor boy I’d let him know when you were awake.” She stepped away from the bed as she dialed.
I turned to my sister. “Can you believe what happened? What we did?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s like I was walking through someone else’s dream. I know I was there, and I know the details, but it’s like watching a movie.” She smiled. “Kevin said that we were hot.”
I laughed. “He would say that.” I reached out and took her hand in mine. “I’m sorry you had to recover all alone while I was in here.”
She gave me a sheepish look. “I wasn’t alone.”
“Kevin?”
“No. Well, yeah, a little.” She leaned closer. “Emily.”
“What?” I struggled to sit up a bit. “She’s free?”
“Apparently when we left Noah in the void, his hold over her was broken.”
“Where is she? Why isn’t she here?”
Wren glanced over her shoulder. “She didn’t want to scare Nan. She said she’ll come see us once we’ve fully recovered. She said something about having a lot to teach us.”
“That’s kind of like putting on rubber boots when you’re already in the mud puddle.”
My sister frowned. “That makes no sense. Why would you do that?”
“Exactly.” I played with her fingers. “Did she say anything else?”
“She said she wanted to get Alys out of the void.”
“As long as we don’t have to deal with Noah again, I don’t care what she does. What did Kevin do with the bones?”
“No idea.”
Nan came back to the side of the bed. “Ben and your friends want to know if they can come visit for a bit.”
“They’d better,” I said, loud enough for Ben to hear over the phone.
Twenty minutes later I was surrounded. Nan had left me with a kiss on the forehead and said she’d be back in the morning to take me home.